Lens driving unit, and a camera module and an optical appliance including the same

ABSTRACT

Embodiments provide a lens driving unit including a base, a housing supported so as to be movable relative to the base, a magnet located on the housing, a pattern coil part including a pattern coil that is located opposite the magnet, the pattern coil part being located on the base, and a sensor part mounted to the pattern coil part for sensing a position or movement of the housing, and the pattern coil part includes a first layer and a second layer stacked on the first layer, the sensor part being mounted underneath the first layer, and the pattern coil being formed on the second layer. Thereby, manufacturing costs may be reduced owing to a reduction in the number of elements, processes, and process management points.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/110,736, filed Aug. 23, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 15/271,955, filed Sep. 21, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No.10,082,638, issued Sep. 25, 2018, which claims the benefit under 35U.S.C. § 119 of Korean Patent Application Nos. 10-2015-0133180, filedSep. 21, 2015; 10-2015-0135403, filed Sep. 24, 2015; and10-2015-0135404, filed Sep. 24, 2015, which are hereby incorporated byreference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments relate to a lens driving unit, a camera module, and anoptical appliance.

BACKGROUND

The following disclosure merely provides background information relatedto the embodiments and does not describe the related art.

As various kinds of portable terminals have become widely generalizedand popularized and wireless Internet service is commercialized,consumer demand related to portable terminals has been diversified, andtherefore various kinds of additional devices have been mounted toportable terminals.

A representative one of these additional devices is a camera module thatcaptures a still or moving image of an object.

Recent camera modules include an Optical Image Stabilization (OIS)actuator for a hand tremor compensation function, and there is need fora reduced height of the entire module and a simplified manufacturingprocess thereof.

Conventional camera modules have a high price and a large number ofmanufacturing processes due to the great number of elements thereof, andan increase in process management points upon the manufacture of aproduct results in increased manufacturing costs and an increased heightof the entire product.

In addition, because a printed circuit board and a circuit member havedifferent sizes, the printed circuit board may be warped when thecircuit member is assembled to one surface of the printed circuit board,which deteriorates the quality of the camera module.

In addition, a gap may be generated between a pad unit provided on onesurface of the printed circuit board and a base to which the printedcircuit board is assembled, thus causing contact failure.

In addition, when only the pad unit is provided on one surface of theprinted circuit board, a portion of a pad may be separated from theprinted circuit board during soldering, which causes deterioration inthe quality of the camera module.

In addition, the printed circuit board may be provided on one surface ofthe base and the circuit member may be provided on one surface of theprinted circuit board. When the base, the printed circuit board, and thecircuit member are sequentially assembled with one another, the circuitmember does not come into contact with the base, which may make theheight of the circuit member uneven.

In addition, when a pattern, which protrudes from the pad provided onone surface of the printed circuit board, is thin, the pad may becracked by an external shock.

The circuit member may be assembled so as to be disposed on the uppersurface of the printed circuit board.

In the process of assembling the circuit member so as to be disposed onthe top of the printed circuit board, the circuit member may be slightlytilted.

When the circuit member is tilted, rather than being evenly disposed onthe upper surface of the printed circuit board, the resolution of thecamera module may be deteriorated.

In addition, because a conventional lens driving apparatus is configuredsuch that the circuit member and the printed circuit board are assembledwith each other, rather than integrally forming the circuit member andthe printed circuit board, a foreign substance may be introduced betweenthe circuit member and the printed circuit board, thus causingdeterioration in the resolution of the camera module.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Embodiments provide a lens driving unit, which achieves a reduction inthe number of elements, the number of processes, the number of processmanagement points, and the height of an entire product.

In addition, embodiments provide a camera module and an opticalappliance, each of which includes a lens driving unit.

In addition, embodiments provide a lens driving apparatus and a cameramodule including the same, which may inhibit deterioration in thequality of the camera module due to warping of a printed circuit board,which is caused when a circuit member is assembled to one surface of theprinted circuit board because the printed circuit board and the circuitmember have different sizes.

In addition, embodiments provide a lens driving apparatus and a cameramodule including the same, which may inhibit contact failure due to agap between a pad unit provided on one surface of a printed circuitboard and a base to which the printed circuit board is assembled.

In addition, embodiments provide a lens driving apparatus and a cameramodule including the same, which may inhibit deterioration in thequality of the camera module due to the separation of a portion of a padfrom a printed circuit board during soldering in the case where only apad unit is provided on one surface of the printed circuit board.

In addition, embodiments provide a lens driving apparatus and a cameramodule including the same, which may inhibit a circuit member fromhaving an irregular height because it does not come into contact with abase when the circuit member, the base, and a printed circuit board aresequentially assembled with one another so that the printed circuitboard is provided on one surface of the base and the circuit member isprovided on one surface of the printed circuit board.

In addition, embodiments provide a lens driving apparatus and a cameramodule including the same, which may inhibit a pattern, which protrudesfrom a pad provided on one surface of a printed circuit board, frombeing cracked by an external shock when the pattern is thin.

In addition, embodiments provide a lens driving apparatus and a cameramodule including the same, which may inhibit a circuit member from beingslightly tilted in the process of assembling the circuit member so as tobe disposed on the top of a printed circuit board.

In addition, embodiments provide a lens driving apparatus and a cameramodule including the same, which may inhibit deterioration in theresolution of the camera module when a circuit member is tilted, ratherthan being evenly disposed on the upper surface of a printed circuitboard.

In addition, embodiments provide a lens driving apparatus and a cameramodule including the same, which may inhibit deterioration in theresolution of the camera module due to the introduction of a foreignsubstance between a circuit member and a printed circuit board becausethe circuit member and the printed circuit board are assembled with eachother, rather than being integrally formed with each other.

In one embodiment, a lens driving unit includes a base, a housingsupported so as to be movable relative to the base, a magnet located onthe housing, a pattern coil part including a pattern coil that islocated opposite the magnet, the pattern coil part being located on thebase, and a sensor part mounted to the pattern coil part for sensing aposition or movement of the housing, wherein the pattern coil partincludes a first layer and a second layer stacked on the first layer,the sensor part being mounted underneath the first layer, and thepattern coil being formed on the second layer.

The pattern coil part may include a body provided with the pattern coil,and a terminal portion bent from the body so as to extend downward.

The sensor part may be located so as not to overlap the pattern coil inan optical-axis direction.

The body may include a through-hole formed in a center thereof, thepattern coil may include first to fourth coil pieces located around thethrough-hole, the first coil piece and the third coil piece may belocated opposite each other, and the second coil piece and the fourthcoil piece may be located opposite each other. The first coil piece andthe second coil piece may have the same shape, and the third coil pieceand the fourth coil piece may have the same shape. The first coil pieceand the third coil piece may have different shapes.

The sensor part may be located so as to overlap the pattern coil in anoptical-axis direction, and the pattern coil part may further include athird layer located between the first layer and the second layer.

The base or the body may support the housing from a bottom side thereofso that the housing is horizontally moved or tilted.

The lens driving unit may further include a lateral support membercoupled at one end thereof to the housing, and the lateral supportmember may have a remaining end coupled to the body.

The lateral support member may include a wire, and the body may includea coupling hole for penetration of the wire, and an electricalconduction portion formed on a lower surface of the body so as to comeinto contact with the coupling hole.

The base may include a sensor part accommodation recess formed in anupper surface thereof for accommodating therein the sensor part.

The sensor part may include a hall sensor for sensing magnetic force ofthe magnet, and the hall sensor may be mounted to the pattern coil partvia a Surface Mount Technology (SMT).

The lens driving unit may further include a bobbin located inside thehousing, a coil located on the bobbin so as to be opposite the magnet,and an upper support member and a lower support member that are coupledto the bobbin and the housing for supporting the bobbin so as to bemovable relative to the housing.

The upper support member may be divided into six upper electricalconduction parts, and the lower support member may be divided into twolower electrical conduction parts. Four electrical conduction partsamong the six upper electrical conduction parts may conduct electricitytogether with an auto-focusing feedback sensor located on the bobbin,and two remaining electrical conduction parts among the six upperelectrical conduction parts may be connected to the two lower electricalconduction parts via an electrical conduction member so as to conductelectricity together with the coil located on the bobbin.

The lens driving unit may further include a cover member foraccommodating therein the housing, the cover member having a lower endcoupled to the base, and the cover member may include a cutaway portionfor exposing the terminal portion to an outside.

The terminal portion may be accommodated in a terminal accommodationportion formed in a portion of a side surface of the base.

The terminal portion may be located on each of opposite lateral sides ofthe body.

In another embodiment, a camera module includes a base, a housingsupported so as to be movable relative to the base, a magnet located onthe housing, a pattern coil part including a pattern coil that islocated opposite the magnet, the pattern coil part being located on thebase, and a sensor part mounted to the pattern coil part for sensing aposition or movement of the housing, wherein the pattern coil partincludes a first layer and a second layer stacked on the first layer,the sensor part being mounted underneath the first layer, and thepattern coil being formed on the second layer.

In another embodiment, an optical appliance includes a main body, adisplay unit disposed on one surface of the main body for displayinginformation, and a camera module installed to the main body forcapturing an image or photograph, wherein the camera module includes abase, a housing supported so as to be movable relative to the base, amagnet located on the housing, a pattern coil part including a patterncoil that is located opposite the magnet, the pattern coil part beinglocated on the base, and a sensor part mounted to the pattern coil partfor sensing a position or movement of the housing, wherein the patterncoil part includes a first layer and a second layer stacked on the firstlayer, the sensor part being mounted underneath the first layer, and thepattern coil being formed on the second layer.

In another embodiment, a lens driving apparatus includes a first lensdriving unit including a bobbin provided with at least one lens sheettherein and a first coil on an outer circumferential surface thereof, afirst magnet located around the bobbin so as to be opposite the firstcoil, a housing for supporting the first magnet, and upper and lowerelastic members that are coupled to the bobbin and the housing, thefirst lens driving unit moving the bobbin in a first direction, which isparallel to an optical axis, via interaction between the first magnetand the first coil, and a second lens driving unit including a basespaced apart from the first lens driving unit by a predetermineddistance, a plurality of support members for supporting the housing soas to be movable relative to the base in second and third directions,which are orthogonal to the first direction, a second coil located so asto be opposite the first magnet, and a printed circuit board disposed onone surface of the base via an adhesive member, the second lens drivingunit moving the housing in the second and third directions viainteraction between the first magnet and the second coil, wherein theprinted circuit board includes a plurality of terminals provided on onesurface thereof, and a coating member for covering a portion of oppositeside surfaces of each of the terminals.

The terminals may be spaced apart from one another by a first length onthe surface of the printed circuit board.

The first length may range from 0.01 μm to 0.45 μm.

The coating member may be integrally provided on one surface of two ormore of the terminals.

The terminals may include first terminals located on opposite ends ofthe printed circuit board, and a second terminal located between thefirst terminals.

The coating member may be provided to cover one side surface of eachfirst terminal and opposite side surfaces of the second terminal.

The coating member may be formed of a Photo Solder Resist (PSR) or coverlayer material.

The printed circuit board may have a hollow shape and may include atleast one protruding hollowed portion, which protrudes radially outwardfrom a center of the printed circuit board.

The lens driving apparatus may further include a circuit member havingthe second coil, and the circuit member may have the same diagonallength in the first direction as the diagonal length of the printedcircuit board in the first direction.

The circuit member may have the same diagonal length in the seconddirection, which crosses the first direction, as the diagonal length ofthe printed circuit board in the second direction.

In another embodiment, a camera module includes a lens drivingapparatus, the lens driving apparatus including a first lens drivingunit including a bobbin provided with at least one lens sheet thereinand a first coil on an outer circumferential surface thereof, a firstmagnet located around the bobbin so as to be opposite the first coil, ahousing for supporting the first magnet, and upper and lower elasticmembers that are coupled to the bobbin and the housing, the first lensdriving unit moving the bobbin in a first direction, which is parallelto an optical axis, via interaction between the first magnet and thefirst coil, and a second lens driving unit including a base spaced apartfrom the first lens driving unit by a predetermined distance, aplurality of support members for supporting the housing so as to bemovable relative to the base in second and third directions, which areorthogonal to the first direction, a second coil located so as to beopposite the first magnet, and a printed circuit board disposed on onesurface of the base via an adhesive member, the second lens driving unitmoving the housing in the second and third directions via interactionbetween the first magnet and the second coil, wherein the printedcircuit board includes a plurality of terminals provided on one surfacethereof, and a coating member for covering a portion of opposite sidesurfaces of each of the terminals, an image sensor, and a circuit boardon which the image sensor is mounted.

The terminal may have a thickness of 400 μm or more.

The printed circuit board may have a hollow shape and may include atleast one protruding hollowed portion, which protrudes radially outwardfrom a center of the printed circuit board.

The lens driving apparatus may further include a circuit member havingthe second coil, and the circuit member may have the same diagonallength in the first direction as the diagonal length of the printedcircuit board in the first direction.

The coating member may be formed of a Photo Solder Resist (PSR) or coverlayer material.

The coating member may be provided to cover a portion of an uppersurface of each terminal.

In another embodiment, a lens driving apparatus includes a first lensdriving unit including a bobbin provided with at least one lens sheettherein and a first coil on an outer circumferential surface thereof, afirst magnet located around the bobbin so as to be opposite the firstcoil, a housing for supporting the first magnet, and upper and lowerelastic members that are coupled to the bobbin and the housing, thefirst lens driving unit moving the bobbin in a first direction thatfollows an optical axis via interaction between the first magnet and thefirst coil, and a second lens driving unit including a base spaced apartfrom the first lens driving unit by a predetermined distance, aplurality of support members for supporting the housing so as to bemovable relative to the base in second and third directions, which areorthogonal to the first direction, a second coil located so as to beopposite the first magnet, and a circuit member disposed on one surfaceof the base via an adhesive member, the second lens driving unit movingthe housing in the second and third directions via interaction betweenthe first magnet and the second coil, wherein the circuit memberincludes a first circuit board unit including at least one pattern forelectrically connecting the circuit member and a controller to eachother, a second circuit board unit disposed on a top of the firstcircuit board unit, and a third circuit board unit disposed on a bottomof the first circuit board unit, and wherein each of the first circuitboard unit, the second circuit board unit, and the third circuit boardunit includes the second coil, such that the circuit member and thesecond coil are integrally formed with each other.

The first circuit board unit may include a plurality of circuit boards,and may further include a terminal that is electrically connected to thecontroller.

Each of the second circuit board unit and the third circuit board unitmay include at least one circuit board.

No second coil may be formed on a lowermost circuit board of the thirdcircuit board unit, and a position sensor may be mounted on a portioncorresponding to a position of the second coil.

Each of the second coils provided on the first circuit board unit, thesecond circuit board unit, and the third circuit board unit may be woundto have five turns or more.

The circuit member may include at least six circuit boards.

One of the six circuit boards may include no second coil, and mayinclude a position sensor on a portion thereof corresponding to aposition of the second coil.

The circuit boards may be formed of a Flexible Printed Circuit Board(FPCB).

In another embodiment, a camera module may include the lens drivingapparatus of the above embodiment, the image sensor, and a sensor boardon which the image sensor is mounted.

In a further embodiment, the lens driving apparatus includes a firstlens driving unit including a bobbin provided with at least one lenssheet therein and a first coil on an outer circumferential surfacethereof, a first magnet located around the bobbin so as to be oppositethe first coil, a housing for supporting the first magnet, and upper andlower elastic members that are coupled to the bobbin and the housing,the first lens driving unit moving the bobbin in a first direction thatfollows an optical axis via interaction between the first magnet and thefirst coil, and a second lens driving unit including a base spaced apartfrom the first lens driving unit by a predetermined distance, aplurality of support members for supporting the housing so as to bemovable relative to the base in second and third directions, which areorthogonal to the first direction, a circuit member disposed on onesurface of the base via an adhesive member, a circuit board unitdisposed on a lower surface of the circuit member, and a second coilwound on the circuit member and/or the circuit board unit, the secondlens driving unit moving the housing in the second and third directionsvia interaction between the first magnet and the second coil, and thecircuit board unit and the circuit member being integrally formed witheach other.

The circuit board unit may include a first circuit board unit includingat least one pattern for electrically connecting the circuit board unitand a controller to each other, and a second circuit board unit disposedon the first circuit board unit.

The circuit member may include a first circuit member, a second circuitmember located below the first circuit member, a third circuit memberlocated below the second circuit member, and a fourth circuit memberlocated below the third circuit member.

The circuit board unit may be located between the second circuit memberand the third circuit member.

No second coil may be wound on at least one of the circuit members.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Arrangements and embodiments may be described in detail with referenceto the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to likeelements and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a lens driving unit accordingto an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the lens driving unitaccording to the present embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a pattern coil part of thelens driving unit according to the present embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view illustrating the coupling of asecond sensor part and the pattern coil part of the lens driving unitaccording to the present embodiment;

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view and a partially enlarged viewillustrating the coupling of the second sensor part and the pattern coilpart of the lens driving unit according to the present embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the coupling of a base and thepattern coil part of the lens driving unit according to the presentembodiment;

FIG. 7 illustrates a base, a printed circuit board, and a second coilaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 8 illustrates the upper surface of the printed circuit boardaccording to the embodiment;

FIG. 9 illustrates the lower surface of the printed circuit boardaccording to the embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a detailed view illustrating a third printed-circuit-boardportion 250 c of the printed circuit board according to the embodiment;

FIG. 11 illustrates a first terminal and a second terminal according tothe embodiment, which are placed on the third printed-circuit-boardportion 250 c;

FIG. 12 is an exploded view illustrating a printed circuit board and acircuit member including a second coil according to an embodiment;

FIG. 13 illustrates a first circuit board according to the embodiment;and

FIG. 14 illustrates a second circuit board according to the embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, some embodiments will be clearly revealed via descriptionthereof with reference to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible,the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to referto the same or like parts. In addition, in the following description ofthe embodiments, a detailed description of known functions andconfigurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may impedethe understanding of the embodiments.

In addition, in the description of constituent elements of theembodiments, terms “first”, “second”, “A”, “B”, “(a)”, “(b)”, and thelike may be used to distinguish any one element from another elementwithout requiring or containing any physical or logical relationship orsequence between these substances or elements. When an element isdescribed as being “connected” or “coupled”, to another element, it canbe directly connected or coupled to the other element, or interveningelements may also be “connected” or “coupled” therebetween.

The expression “optical-axis direction” used below is defined as theoptical axis of a lens module, which is coupled to a lens driving unit.Meanwhile, “optical-axis direction” may be replaced with the verticaldirection, the Z-axis direction, or the like.

The term “auto-focusing function” used below is defined as a function offocusing on an object by moving a lens module in the optical-axisdirection so as to adjust the distance to an image sensor depending onthe distance to the object, in order to allow the image sensor toacquire a clear image of the object.

The term “hand tremor compensation function” used below is defined as afunction of moving or tilting a lens module in a direction perpendicularto the optical-axis direction so as to compensate for vibrations(movement) of an image sensor generated by external force. Meanwhile,“hand tremor compensation” may be used along with “Optical ImageStabilization (OIS)”.

Hereinafter, the configuration of an optical appliance according to thepresent embodiment will be described.

The optical appliance according to the present embodiment may be, forexample, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a portable smart appliance, adigital camera, a laptop computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, aPersonal Digital Assistant (PDA), a Portable Multimedia Player (PMP), ora navigation system, without being limited thereto, and may be any onedevice for capturing an image or a photograph.

The optical appliance according to the present exemplary embodiment mayinclude a main body (not illustrated), a display unit (not illustrated)disposed on one surface of the main body for displaying information, anda camera (not illustrated) installed on the main body to capture animage or a photograph, the camera including a camera module (notillustrated).

Hereinafter, the configuration of the camera module according to thepresent embodiment will be described.

The camera module may include a lens driving unit 10, a lens module (notillustrated), an infrared-ray blocking filter (not illustrated), aprinted circuit board (not illustrated), an image sensor (notillustrated), and a controller (not illustrated).

The lens module may include one or more lenses (not illustrated), and alens barrel for accommodating the lenses. One constituent element of thelens module is not limited to the lens barrel, and any other holderstructure capable of supporting the lenses may be used. The lens modulemay be coupled to the lens driving unit 10 and may be moved along withthe lens driving unit 10. In one example, the lens module may be coupledinside the lens driving unit 10. In one example, the lens module may bescrewed to the lens driving unit 10. In another example, the lens modulemay be coupled to the lens driving unit 10 using an adhesive (notillustrated). Light that has passed through the lens module may beemitted to the image sensor.

The infrared-ray blocking filter may inhibit infrared rays from beingintroduced into the image sensor. In one example, the infrared-rayblocking filter may be located between the lens module and the imagesensor. The infrared-ray blocking filter may be located on a holdermember (not illustrated), which is provided separately from a base 500.Alternatively, the infrared-ray blocking filter may be mounted in athrough-hole 510, which is formed in the central portion of the base500. The infrared-ray blocking filter may be formed of, for example, afilm material or glass material. Alternatively, the infrared-rayblocking filter may be formed by coating an optical filter, which has aflat plate shape and is formed of cover glass for the protection of animage-capturing surface, with an infrared-ray blocking material.

The printed circuit board may support the lens driving unit 10. Theimage sensor may be mounted on the printed circuit board. In oneexample, the image sensor may be located on the inner side of the uppersurface of the printed circuit board, and a sensor holder (notillustrated) may be located on the outer side of the upper surface ofthe printed circuit board. The lens driving unit 10 may be located abovethe sensor holder. Alternatively, the lens driving unit 10 may belocated on the outer side of the upper surface of the printed circuitboard and the image sensor may be located on the inner side of the uppersurface of the printed circuit board. Through this structure, light thathas passed through the lens module, which is accommodated inside thelens driving unit 10, may be emitted to the image sensor mounted on theprinted circuit board. The printed circuit board may supply a voltage tothe lens driving unit 10. The controller for controlling the lensdriving unit 10 may be located on the printed circuit board.

The image sensor may be mounted on the printed circuit board. The imagesensor may be located so as to have the same optical axis as the lensmodule. Thereby, the image sensor may acquire light that has passedthrough the lens module. The image sensor may output the acquired lightas an image. In one example, the image sensor may be a Charge CoupledDevice (CCD), a Metal Oxide Semiconductor (MOS), a Charge Priming Device(CPD), or a Charge Injection Device (CID), without being limitedthereto.

The controller may be mounted on the printed circuit board. Thecontroller may be located at the outer side of the lens driving unit 10.Alternatively, the controller may be located at the inner side of thelens driving unit 10. The controller may control, for example, thedirection, intensity and pulse width of the current supplied to eachconstituent element of the lens driving unit 10. The controller mayperform the auto-focusing function and/or the hand tremor compensationfunction of the camera module by controlling the lens driving unit 10.That is, the controller may move the lens module in the optical-axisdirection or in a direction perpendicular to the optical-axis direction,or may tilt the lens module by controlling the lens driving unit 10. Inaddition, the controller may perform the feedback control of theauto-focusing function and/or the hand tremor compensation function.More specifically, the controller may control the voltage or currentthat is to be applied to a first drive part 220 or a pattern coil 410based on the position of a bobbin 210 or a housing 310, which is sensedby a sensor part 700.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the lens driving unit 10 according tothe present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a lens driving unit accordingto an embodiment, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the lensdriving unit according to the present embodiment, FIG. 3 is aperspective view illustrating a pattern coil part of the lens drivingunit according to the present embodiment, FIG. 4 is a bottom perspectiveview illustrating the coupling of a second sensor part and the patterncoil part of the lens driving unit according to the present embodiment,FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view and a partially enlarged viewillustrating the coupling of the second sensor part and the pattern coilpart of the lens driving unit according to the present embodiment, andFIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the coupling of a base and thepattern coil part of the lens driving unit according to the presentembodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, the lens driving unit 10 according to thepresent embodiment may include a cover member 100, a first mover 200, asecond mover 300, a pattern coil part 400, a base 500, a support member600, and a sensor part 700. In the lens driving unit 10 according to thepresent embodiment, one or more of the cover member 100, the first mover200, the second mover 300, the pattern coil part 400, the base 500, thesupport member 600, and the sensor part 700 may be omitted. Inparticular, the sensor part 700 is used for the auto-focusing feedbackfunction and/or the hand tremor compensation feedback function, and maybe omitted.

The cover member 100 may define the external appearance of the lensdriving unit 10. The cover member 100 may take the form of a hexahedron,the bottom of which is open, without being limited thereto. The covermember 100 may include an upper plate 101 and a side plate 102 extendingdownward from the outer periphery of the upper plate 101. The side plate102 of the cover member 100 may have a lower end mounted on the base500. The cover member 100 and the base 500 may define the space thereinfor accommodating the first mover 200, the second mover 300, the patterncoil part 400, and the support member 600. In addition, the cover member100 may be mounted on the base 500 such that the inner surface thereofcomes into close contact with a portion of the side surface or theentire side surface of the base 500. Through this structure, the covermember 100 may function to protect the elements therein from an externalshock and to inhibit the introduction of contaminants.

The cover member 100 may be formed of, for example, a metal material.More specifically, the cover member 100 may be formed of a metal panel.In this case, the cover member 100 may inhibit the interference ofelectric waves. That is, the cover member 100 may inhibit

electric waves, generated at the outside of the lens driving unit 10,from being introduced into the cover member 100. In addition, the covermember 100 may inhibit electric waves, generated inside the cover member100, from being discharged outward from the cover member 100. Note thatthe material of the cover member 100 is not limited to theaforementioned one.

The cover member 100 may include an opening 110 formed in the upperplate 101 for exposing the lens module. The opening 110 may have a shapecorresponding to the lens module. The size of the opening 110 may belarger than the diameter of the lens module in order to allow the lensmodule to be assembled through the opening 110. In addition, lightintroduced through the opening 110 may pass through the lens module. Thelight that has passed through the lens module may be transferred to theimage sensor.

The cover member 100 may include a cutaway portion 120 for exposing aterminal portion 430 to the outside. The cutaway portion 120 may be cutaway from a lower portion of the cover member 100. The cutaway portion120 may expose the terminal portion 430 to the outside and may be spacedapart from the terminal portion 430. An insulation material may bedisposed between the cutaway portion 120 and the terminal portion 430 soas to inhibit electrical conduction between the cover member 100 and theterminal portion 430.

The first mover 200 may be coupled to the lens module, which is oneconstituent element of the camera module (note that the lens module maybe described as a constituent element of the lens driving unit 10). Thelens module may be located inside the first mover 200. The outercircumferential surface of the lens module may be coupled to the innercircumferential surface of the first mover 200. The first mover 200 maybe moved along with the lens module via interaction with the secondmover 300. That is, the first mover 200 may move the lens module.

The first mover 200 may include a bobbin 210 and a first drive part 220.The bobbin 210 of the first mover 200 may be coupled to the lens module.The first drive part 220 of the first mover 200 may be located on thebobbin 210 and may be moved by electromagnetic interaction with a seconddrive part 320.

The bobbin 210 may be coupled to the lens module. More specifically, theouter circumferential surface of the lens module may be coupled to theinner circumferential surface of the bobbin 210. The first drive part220 may be coupled to the bobbin 210. In addition, the bottom of thebobbin 210 may be coupled to a lower support member 620 and the top ofthe bobbin 210 may be coupled to an upper support member 610. The bobbin210 may be located inside the housing 310. The bobbin 210 may move inthe optical-axis direction relative to the housing 310.

The bobbin 210 may include a lens coupling portion 211 formed therein.The lens module may be coupled to the lens coupling portion 211. Theinner circumferential surface of the lens coupling portion 211 may beprovided with screw-threads, which correspond to screw-threads formed onthe outer circumferential surface of the lens module. That is, the outercircumferential surface of the lens module may be screwed to the innercircumferential surface of the lens coupling portion 211. Alternatively,an adhesive may be introduced between the lens module and the bobbin210. At this time, the adhesive may be Ultraviolet-Light (UV) curableepoxy. That is, the lens module and the bobbin 210 may be attached toeach other by UV curable epoxy. Alternatively, the lens module and thebobbin 210 may be attached to each other by thermally curable epoxy.

The bobbin 210 may include a first-drive-part coupling portion 212 onwhich the first drive part 220 is wound or mounted. The first-drive-partcoupling portion 212 may be integrally formed with the outer surface ofthe bobbin 210. In addition, the first-drive-part coupling portion 212may be formed throughout the outer surface of the bobbin 210, or may beformed at predetermined intervals on the outer surface of the bobbin210. The first-drive-part coupling portion 212 may include a recessformed in a portion of the outer surface of the bobbin 210. The firstdrive part 220 may be located in the recess. At this time, the firstdrive part 220 may be supported by the first-drive-part coupling portion212.

In one example, the first-drive-part coupling portion 212 may be formedby protruding portions on the upper and lower sides of the recess. Atthis time, a coil of the first drive part 220 may be wound in therecessed first-drive-part coupling portion 212. In another example, thefirst-drive-part coupling portion 212 may take the form of a recess, theupper or lower side of which is open and the other side of which isprovided with a holder portion, such that the coil of the first drivepart 220, which has been previously wound, may be inserted and coupledthrough the open side.

The bobbin 210 may include an upper coupling portion 213 configured tobe coupled to the upper support member 610. The upper coupling portion213 may be coupled to an inner-side portion 612 of the upper supportmember 610. In one example, a protrusion (not illustrated) of the uppercoupling portion 213 may be inserted into and coupled to a recess orhole (not illustrated) formed in the inner-side portion 612.Alternatively, the upper support member 610 may be provided with aprotrusion and the bobbin 210 may be provided with a recess or hole forthe coupling therebetween. The bobbin 210 may include a lower couplingportion (not illustrated) configured to be coupled to the lower supportmember 620. The lower coupling portion formed on the bottom of thebobbin 210 may be coupled to an inner-side portion 622 of the lowersupport member 620. In one example, a protrusion (not illustrated) ofthe lower coupling portion may be inserted into and coupled to a recessor hole (not illustrated) formed in the inner-side portion 622.Alternatively, the lower support member 620 may be provided with aprotrusion and the bobbin 210 may be provided with a recess or hole forthe coupling therebetween.

The first drive part 220 may be located so as to be opposite the seconddrive part 320 of the second mover 300. The first drive part 220 maymove the bobbin 210 relative to the housing 310 via electromagneticinteraction with the second drive part 320. The first drive part 220 mayinclude a coil. The coil may be guided by the first-drive-part couplingportion 212 so as to be wound around the outer surface of the bobbin210. In another embodiment, four coils may be independently provided onthe outer surface of the bobbin 210 such that two neighboring coils forman angle of 90 degrees therebetween. When the first drive part 220includes the coil, a voltage may be supplied to the coil through thelower support member 620. At this time, the lower support member 620 maybe divided into a pair of lower support members for the supply ofvoltage to the coil. The first drive part 220 may include a pair of leadcables (not illustrated) for the supply of voltage. In this case, eachof the pair of lead cables of the first drive part 220 may beelectrically coupled to each of the pair of lower support members 620.Alternatively, the first drive part 220 may receive a voltage from theupper support member 610. When a voltage is supplied to the coil, anelectromagnetic field may be formed around the coil. In anotherembodiment, the first drive part 220 may include a magnet and the seconddrive part 320 may include a coil.

The second mover 300 may be located at the outer side of the first mover200 so as to be opposite the first mover 200. The second mover 300 maybe supported by the base 500 located therebelow. The second mover 300may be supported by fixing members. At this time, the fixing members mayinclude the base 500 and the pattern coil part 400. That is, the secondmover 300 may be supported by the base 500 and/or the pattern coil part400. The second mover 300 may be located in the space inside the covermember 100.

The second mover 300 may include the housing 310 and the second drivepart 320. The housing 310 of the second mover 300 may be located at theouter side of the bobbin 210. In addition, the second drive part 320 ofthe second mover 300 may be located so as to be opposite the first drivepart 220 and may be fixed to the housing 310.

At least a portion of the housing 310 may have a shape corresponding tothe inner surface of the cover member 100. In particular, the outersurface of the housing 310 may have a shape corresponding to the innersurface of the side plate 102 of the cover member 100. The outer surfaceof the housing 310 and the inner surface of the side plate 102 of thecover member 100 may be flat. More specifically, when the housing 310 islocated at the initial position thereof, the outer surface of thehousing 310 and the inner surface of the side plate 102 of the covermember 100 may be parallel to each other. In this case, when the housing310 is moved closest to the cover member 100, the outer surface of thehousing 310 and the inner surface of the side plate 102 of the covermember 100 may come into surface contact with each other, which maydisperse a shock generated in the housing 310 and/or the cover member100. The housing 310 may take the form of, for example, a hexahedronhaving four sides. Note that the housing 310 may have any other shape solong as it can be located inside the cover member 100.

The housing 310 may be formed of an insulation material and may beinjection-molded in consideration of productivity. Because the housing310 is moved for Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) driving, the housing310 may be spaced apart from the cover member 100 by a predetermineddistance. However, in an Auto-Focusing (AF) model, the housing 310 maybe fixed on the base 500. Alternatively, in the AF model, the housing310 may be omitted and a magnet, which is provided as the second drivepart 320, may be fixed to the cover member 100.

The housing 310 may have open upper and lower sides and may accommodatethe first mover 200 in a vertically movable manner. The housing 310 mayinclude an inner space 311, the upper and lower sides of which are open.The bobbin 210 may be movably located in the inner space 311. That is,the inner space 311 may have a shape corresponding to the bobbin 210. Inaddition, the inner circumferential surface of the housing 310, whichdefines the inner space 311, may be spaced apart from the outercircumferential surface of the bobbin 210. The housing 310 may besupported so as to be movable relative to the base 500. That is, thehousing 310 may be horizontally moved or tilted relative to the base500.

The housing 310 may include a second-drive-part coupling portion 312formed on the side surface thereof so as to have a shape correspondingto the second drive part 320 for accommodating the second drive part320. That is, the second-drive-part coupling portion 312 may accommodateand fix the second drive part 320. The second drive part 320 may befixed to the second-drive-part coupling portion 312 using an adhesive(not illustrated). The second-drive-part coupling portion 312 may belocated on the inner circumferential surface of the housing 310. Thismay be advantageous for the electromagnetic interaction between thesecond drive part 320 and the first drive part 220 located therein. Thesecond-drive-part coupling portion 312 may have, for example, the openbottom side. This may be advantageous for the electromagneticinteraction between the second drive part 320 and a body 420 locatedbelow the second drive part 320. In one example, the lower end of thesecond drive part 320 may protrude downward from the lower end of thehousing 310. For example, four second-drive-part coupling portions 312may be provided. The second drive part 320 may be coupled to each of thefour second-drive-part coupling portions 312.

The housing 310 may be coupled at the top thereof to the upper supportmember 610 and may be coupled at the bottom thereof to the lower supportmember 620. The housing 310 may include an upper coupling portion 313configured to be coupled to the upper support member 610. The uppercoupling portion 313 may be coupled to an outer-side portion 611 of theupper support member 610. In one example, a protrusion of the uppercoupling portion 313 may be inserted into and coupled to a recess orhole (not illustrated) in the outer-side portion 611. In an alternativeembodiment, the upper support member 610 may be provided with aprotrusion and the housing 310 may be provided with a recess or hole forthe coupling therebetween. The housing 310 may further include a lowercoupling portion (not illustrated) configured to be coupled to the lowersupport member 620. The lower coupling portion formed on the bottom ofthe housing 310 may be coupled to an outer-side portion 621 of the lowersupport member 620. In one example, the protrusion of the lower couplingportion may be inserted into and coupled to a recess or hole (notillustrated) in the outer-side portion 621. In an alternativeembodiment, the lower support member 620 may be provided with aprotrusion and the housing 310 may be provided with a recess or hole forthe coupling therebetween.

The housing 310 may include a first side surface, a second side surfacelocated near the first side surface, and a corner portion locatedbetween the first side surface and the second side surface. The cornerportion of the housing 310 may be provided with an upper stopper (notillustrated). The upper stopper may vertically overlap the cover member100. When the housing 310 is moved upward by an external shock, theupper stopper may limit the upward movement of the housing 310 by cominginto contact with the cover member 100.

The second drive part 320 may be located so as to be opposite the firstdrive part 220 of the first mover 200. The second drive part 320 maymove the first drive part 220 via electromagnetic interaction with thefirst drive part 220. The second drive part 320 may include a magnet.The magnet may be fixed to the second-drive-part coupling portion 312 ofthe housing 310. In one example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, four magnetsmay be independently provided on the housing 310 such that the twoneighboring magnets form an angle of 90 degrees therebetween. That is,four second drive parts 320 may be equidistantly mounted on four sidesurfaces of the housing 310, which may contribute to the efficient useof the inner volume. In addition, the second drive parts 320 may beattached to the housing 310 using an adhesive, without being limitedthereto. Alternatively, the first drive part 200 may include a magnetand the second drive part 320 may include a coil.

The pattern coil part 400 may be located on the base 500. The patterncoil part 400 may be located so as to be opposite the bottom of thesecond mover 300. The pattern coil part 400 may movably support thesecond mover 300. The pattern coil part 400 may move the second mover300. The pattern coil part 400 may be centrally provided with athrough-hole 421, which corresponds to the lens module. In the presentembodiment, because the pattern coil part 400 may be provided with theterminal portion 430 to enable direct electrical conduction with theoutside, a separate Flexible Printed Circuit Board (FPCB) may not beprovided. Accordingly, the present embodiment may achieve a reduction inprice attributable to a reduction in the number of elements, processes,and process management points, compared to a model in which an FPCB anda pattern coil are separately provided. In addition, the overall heightof the product is reduced, which may contribute to a reduction in size.

The pattern coil part 400 may include a lower first layer and a secondlayer stacked on the first layer, a second sensor part 720 being mountedunderneath the first layer, and the pattern coil 410 being formed on thesecond layer. At this time, each of the first layer and the second layermay include a single conductive layer. In one example, when the patterncoil part 400 includes only two layers, i.e. the first layer and thesecond layer, the second sensor part 720 and the pattern coil 410 maynot vertically overlap each other. The pattern coil part 400 may furtherinclude a third layer interposed between the first layer and the secondlayer. That is, the pattern coil part 400 may include three or morelayers. In other words, the pattern coil part 400 may include three ormore conductive layers. In this case, the second sensor part 720 and thepattern coil 410 may vertically overlap each other.

The pattern coil part 400 may include, for example, the pattern coil 410and the body 420. The pattern coil part 400 may include the pattern coil410 disposed on the body 420. In addition, the body 420 of the patterncoil part 400 may be located so as to be opposite the bottom of thesecond drive part 320 and may be seated on the base 500. The patterncoil part 400 may include the pattern coil 410, the body 420 providedwith the pattern coil 410, and the terminal portion 430 bent from thebody 420 so as to extend downward.

The pattern coil 410 may be opposite the second drive part 320. Thepattern coil 410 may move the second drive part 320 via electromagneticinteraction therebetween. When a voltage is applied to the pattern coil410, the second drive part 320 and the housing 310, to which the seconddrive part 320 is fixed, may be integrally moved via interaction betweenthe pattern coil 410 and the second drive part 320. The pattern coil 410may be mounted on or electrically connected to the body 420, or may beintegrally formed with the body 420. The pattern coil 420 may be, forexample, a Fine Pattern (FP) coil and may be placed, mounted or formedon the body 420. The pattern coil 410 may be formed, for example, so asto minimize interference with the second sensor part 720 locatedtherebelow. The pattern coil 410 may be formed so as not to verticallyoverlap the second sensor part 720. The second sensor part 720 may bemounted below the pattern coil part 400 so as not to vertically overlapthe pattern coil 410. In addition, the pattern coil 410 may have anasymmetrical shape.

The pattern coil 410 may include first to fourth coil pieces 411, 412,413 and 414 arranged around the through-hole 421. The first coil piece411 and the third coil piece 413 may be opposite each other, and thesecond coil piece 412 and the fourth coil piece 414 may be opposite eachother. The first coil piece 411 may be near the second coil piece 412and the fourth coil piece 414, and the third coil piece 413 may be nearthe fourth coil piece 414 and the second coil piece 412. That is, thefirst coil piece 411 to the fourth coil piece 414 may be successivelyarranged in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction. The first coilpiece 411 and the second coil piece 412 may have a corresponding shape,and the third coil piece 413 and the fourth coil piece 414 may have acorresponding shape. Note that the shapes of the first coil piece 411and the third coil piece 413 may not correspond to each other. Throughthe change in the shape of the first coil piece 411 to the fourth coilpiece 414, the space for the mounting of the second sensor part 720 maybe attained. The second sensor part 720 may be located so as not tovertically overlap the first coil piece 411 to the fourth coil piece414. Two second sensor parts 720 may be provided. At this time,imaginary lines that connect the two second sensor parts 720 to theoptical axis, may be perpendicular to each other. When the second sensorparts 720 do not vertically overlap the first coil piece 411 to thefourth coil piece 414, the body 420 may include only two layers(conductive layers), which is advantageous.

In another embodiment, the first coil piece 411 to the fourth coil piece414 may vertically overlap the second sensor parts 720. In this case,the body 420 may include three or more layers (conductive layers). Thisis because the body 420 that includes only two layers, as in the aboveexample, may cause failure in electrical conduction between the secondsensor parts 720 and the pattern coil 410, which overlap each other inthe optical-axis direction.

The body 420 may be seated on the base 500. The body 420 may supply avoltage to the pattern coil 410. In addition, the body 420 may supply avoltage to the first drive part 220 or the second drive part 320. In oneexample, the body 420 may supply a voltage to the first drive part 220through a lateral support member 630, the upper support member 610, anelectrical conduction member 640, and the lower support member 620.Alternatively, the body 420 may supply a voltage to the first drive part220 through the lateral support member 630 and the upper support member610.

The body 420 may support the housing 310 from the bottom side thereof sothat the housing 310 is horizontally moved or tilted. The body 420 maybe coupled to the housing 310 via the lateral support member 630. Thesecond sensor part 720, which senses the position or movement of thehousing 310, may be located on the body 420. The pattern coil 410 may belocated on the upper surface of the body 420, and the second sensor part720 may be located on the lower surface of the body 420.

The body 420 may include the through-hole 421. Light that has passedthrough the lens module may pass through the through-hole 421 of thebody 420. The through-hole 421 may be formed in the central portion ofthe body 420. The through-hole 421 may have a circular shape, withoutbeing limited thereto.

The body 420 may include a coupling hole 422 for the penetration of awire of the lateral support member 630, and an electrical conductionportion 423 formed on the lower surface of the body 420 so as to comeinto contact with the coupling hole 422. The coupling hole 422 may beformed in the body 420, and the lateral support member 630 may passthrough the coupling hole 422. The electrical conduction portion 423,which is formed on the lower surface of the body 420 so as to come intocontact with the coupling hole 422, may be electrically connected to thelateral support member 630, which is coupled to the coupling hole 422.

The terminal portion 430 may be connected to an external power supplythrough conductive layers 431 and 432. A voltage may be supplied to thebody 420 through the terminal portion 430. The terminal portion 430 mayextend from the lateral side of the body 420. A pair of terminalportions 430 may be located on opposite lateral sides of the body 420.The body 420 and the terminal portions 430 may be integrally formed witheach other. The terminal portions 430 may have a width smaller than thebody 420. Each of the terminal portions 430 may be accommodated in aterminal accommodation portion 540, which is formed in a portion of theside surface of the base 500. The terminal accommodation portion 540 mayhave a width corresponding to the width of the terminal portion 430.

The base 500 may support the second mover 300. The printed circuit boardmay be located below the base 500. The base 500 may include thethrough-hole 510, which is formed at a position corresponding to thelens coupling portion 211 of the bobbin 210. The base 500 may functionas a sensor holder for protecting the image sensor. An infrared-rayfilter may be coupled to the through-hole 510 of the base 500.Alternatively, the infrared-ray filter may be coupled to a separatesensor holder, which is located below the base 500.

The base 500 may include, for example, a foreign substance collectionportion 520, which collects a foreign substance introduced into thecover member 100. The foreign substance collection portion 520 may belocated on the upper surface of the base 500, and may include anadhesive material so as to collect a foreign substance in the innerspace defined by the cover member 100 and the base 500.

The base 500 may include a sensor part accommodation recess 530 to whichthe second sensor part 720 is coupled. That is, the second sensor part720 may be mounted in the sensor part accommodation recess 530. At thistime, the second sensor part 720 may sense the horizontal movement ortilting of the housing 310 by sensing the second drive part 320 coupledto the housing 310. For example, two sensor part accommodation recesses530 may be provided. The two sensor part accommodation recesses 530 mayaccommodate the respective second sensor parts 720. In this case, thesecond sensor parts 720 may be arranged so as to sense all of the x-axismovement and the y-axis movement of the housing 310. That is, imaginarylines that connect the two second sensor parts 720 to the optical axis,may be perpendicular to each other.

The support member 600 may connect two or more ones of the first mover200, the second mover 300, the pattern coil part 400, and the base 500to each other. The support member 600 may elastically connect two ormore of the first mover 200, the second mover 300, the pattern coil part400, and the base 500 to each other so as to enable relative movementbetween the respective constituent elements. The support member 600 maybe an elastic member. The support member 600 may include, for example,the upper support member 610, the lower support member 620, the lateralsupport member 630, and the electrical conduction member 640. Theelectrical conduction member 640 may be used for the electricalconduction between the upper support member 610 and the lower supportmember 620, and may be described separately from the upper supportmember 610, the lower support member 620, and the lateral support member630.

The upper support member 610 may include, for example, the outer-sideportion 611, the inner-side portion 612, and a connection portion 613.The upper support member 610 may include the outer-side portion 611coupled to the housing 310, the inner-side portion 612 coupled to thebobbin 210, and the connection portion 613 for elastically connectingthe outer-side portion 611 and the inner-side portion 612 to each other.

The upper support member 610 may be connected to the top of the firstmover 200 and the top of the second mover 300. More specifically, theupper support member 610 may be coupled to the top of the bobbin 210 andthe top of the housing 310. The inner-side portion 612 of the uppersupport member 610 may be coupled to the upper coupling portion 213 ofthe bobbin 210, and the outer-side portion 611 of the upper supportmember 610 may be coupled to the upper coupling portion 313 of thehousing 310.

The upper support member 610 may be divided into, for example, six upperelectrical conduction parts. At this time, two upper electricalconduction parts among the six upper electrical conduction parts may beused to apply a voltage to the first drive part 220 via the electricalconduction with the lower support member 620. Each of the two upperelectrical conduction parts may be electrically connected to each of apair of lower support members 620 a and 620 b via the electricalconduction member 640. The other four upper electrical conduction partsamong the six upper electrical conduction parts may conduct electricitytogether with the first sensor part 710, which is located on the bobbin210. The other four upper electrical conduction parts may be used tosupply a voltage to the first sensor part 710 and to enable thetransmission and reception of information or signals between thecontroller and the first sensor part 710. In an alternative embodiment,two upper electrical conduction parts among the six upper electricalconduction parts may be directly connected to the first drive part 220,and the other four upper electrical conduction parts may be connected tothe first sensor part 710.

The lower support member 620 may include, for example, the pair of lowersupport members 620 a and 620 b. That is, the lower support member 620may include a first lower support member 620 a and a second lowersupport member 620 b. At this time, the lower support member 620 may bedescribed as including two lower electrical conduction parts. Each ofthe first lower support member 620 a and the second lower support member620 b may be connected to each of the lead cables of the first drivepart 220, which is configured as a coil, thereby supplying a voltagethereto. The lower support members 620 a and 620 b may be electricallyconnected to the pattern coil 410. Through this structure, the lowersupport members 620 may provide a voltage supplied from the pattern coil410 to the first drive part 220.

The lower support member 620 may include, for example, the outer-sideportion 621, the inner-side portion 622, and a connection portion 623.The lower support member 620 may include the outer-side portion 621coupled to the housing 310, the inner-side portion 622 coupled to thebobbin 210, and the connection portion 623 for elastically connectingthe outer-side portion 621 and the inner-side portion 622 to each other.

The lower support member 620 may be connected to the bottom of the firstmover 200 and the bottom of the second mover 300. More specifically, thelower support member 620 may be coupled to the bottom of the bobbin 210and the bottom of the housing 310. The inner-side portion 622 of thelower support member 620 may be coupled to the lower coupling portion ofthe bobbin 210, and the outer-side portion 621 of the lower supportmember 620 may be coupled to the lower coupling portion of the housing310.

The lateral support member 630 may be coupled at one side thereof to thepattern coil part 400 and/or the base 500 and coupled at the other sidethereof to the upper support member 610 and/or the second mover 300. Inone example, the lateral support member 630 may be coupled at one sidethereof to the pattern coil part 400 and coupled at the other sidethereof to the housing 310. In another example, the lateral supportmember 630 may be coupled at one side thereof to the base 500 andcoupled at the other side thereof to the upper support member 610. Assuch, the lateral support member 630 may elastically support the secondmover 300 so that the second mover 300 is horizontally moved or tiltedrelative to the base 500.

The lateral support member 630 may include a plurality of wires. Inaddition, the lateral support member 630 may include a plurality ofleaf-springs. In one example, the lateral support member 630 may beprovided in the same number as the upper support member 610. That is,the lateral support member 630 may be divided into six lateral supportparts so as to be connected the respective parts of the upper supportmember 610. In this case, each part of the lateral support member 630may supply a voltage, supplied from the pattern coil part 400 or anexternal power supply, to each part of the upper support member 610. Thenumber of lateral support members 630 may be determined based on, forexample, symmetry. In one example, the lateral support member 630 mayinclude a total of eight parts such that two parts are arranged on eachcorner of the housing 310.

The lateral support member 630 or the upper support member 610 mayinclude, for example, a shock-absorbing part for absorbing an externalshock. The shock-absorbing part may be provided on the lateral supportmember 630 and/or the upper support member 610. The shock-absorbing partmay be a separate member, such as a damper. In addition, theshock-absorbing part may be realized by changing the shape of a portionof at least one of the lateral support member 630 and the upper supportmember 610.

The electrical conduction member 640 may electrically connect the uppersupport member 610 and the lower support member 620 to each other. Theelectrical conduction member 640 may be separately provided from thelateral support member 630. A voltage supplied to the upper supportmember 610 may be supplied to the lower support member 620 through theelectrical conduction member 640, and in turn may be supplied to thefirst drive part 220 through the lower support member 620. In analternative embodiment, when the upper support member 610 is directlyconnected to the first drive part 220, the electrical conduction member640 may be omitted.

The sensor part 700 may be used for at least one of Auto-Focusing (AF)feedback and hand tremor compensation feedback. The sensor part 700 maysense the position or movement of at least one of the first mover 200and the second mover 300.

The sensor part 700 may include, for example, the first sensor part 710and the second sensor part 720. The first sensor part 710 may provideinformation for AF feedback by sensing the vertical movement of thebobbin 210 relative to the housing 310. In this case, the first sensorpart 710 may be referred to as an auto-focusing feedback sensor. Thesecond sensor part 720 may provide information for OIS feedback bysensing the horizontal movement or tilting of the second mover 300. Inthis case, the second sensor part 720 may be referred to as a handtremor compensation feedback sensor.

The first sensor part 710 may be located on the first mover 200. Thefirst sensor part 710 may be located on the bobbin 210. The first sensorpart 710 may be inserted into and fixed to a sensor guide groove (notillustrated) formed in the outer circumferential surface of the bobbin210. The first sensor part 710 may include, for example, a first sensor711, a flexible printed circuit board 712, and a terminal portion 713.

The first sensor 711 may sense the movement or position of the bobbin210. Alternatively, the first sensor 711 may sense the position of thesecond drive part 320 mounted on the housing 310. The first sensor 711may be, for example, a hall sensor. In this case, the first sensor 711may sense variation in the relative positions between the bobbin 210 andthe housing 310 by sensing magnetic force generated from the seconddrive part 320.

The first sensor 711 may be mounted on the flexible printed circuitboard 712. The flexible printed circuit board 712 may have, for example,a strip shape. At least a portion of the flexible printed circuit board712 may have a shape corresponding to a sensor guide groove, which isformed in the top of the bobbin 210, so as to be inserted into thesensor guide groove. The flexible printed circuit board 712 may bend soas to correspond to the shape of the sensor guide groove. The terminalportion 713 may be formed on the flexible printed circuit board 712.

The terminal portion 713 may receive a voltage and supply the same tothe first sensor 711 through the flexible printed circuit board 712. Inaddition, the terminal portion 713 may receive a control command for thefirst sensor 711, or may transmit a sensed value from the first sensor711. In one example, four terminal portions 713 may be provided and maybe electrically connected to the upper support member 610. In this case,two terminal portions 713 may be used to receive a voltage from theupper support member 610, and the other two terminal portions 713 may beused to transmit or receive information or signals.

The second sensor part 720 may be located on the pattern coil part 400.The second sensor part 720 may be located on the upper surface or thelower surface of the pattern coil 410. In one example, the second sensorpart 720 may be disposed on the lower surface of the pattern coil 410 soas to be located in the sensor part accommodation recess 530 formed inthe base 500. The second sensor part 720 may include, for example, ahall sensor. In this case, the second sensor part 720 may sense themovement of the second mover 300 relative to the pattern coil part 400by sensing the magnetic field of the second drive part 320. The hallsensor may be mounted on the body 420 via Surface Mount Technology(SMT). In one example, at least two second sensor parts 720 may beprovided to sense all of the x-axis movement and the y-axis movement ofthe second mover 300.

In one example, the second sensor part 720 may be located so as not tooverlap the pattern coil 410 in the optical-axis direction. The secondsensor part 720 and the pattern coil 410, as illustrated in FIG. 5, maybe horizontally spaced apart from each other by a distance D. At thistime, the body 420 may be formed in two layers.

In an alternative embodiment, the second sensor part 720 may be locatedso as to overlap the pattern coil 410 in the optical-axis direction. Inthis case, the body 420 may be formed in three or more layers in orderto avoid the electrical conduction between the pattern coil 410 and thesecond sensor part 720.

Hereinafter, the operation of the camera module according to the presentembodiment will be described.

First, the auto-focusing function of the camera module according to thepresent embodiment will be described. When a voltage is supplied to thecoil of the first drive unit 220, the first drive part 220 begins tomove relative to the second drive part 320 via the electromagneticinteraction between the first drive part 220 and the magnet of thesecond drive part 320. At this time, the bobbin 210, coupled to thefirst drive part 220, is integrally moved along with the first drivepart 220. That is, the bobbin 210, coupled inside the lens module, isvertically moved relative to the housing 310. This movement of thebobbin 210 causes the lens module to be moved closer to or farther awayfrom the image sensor. Thereby, in the present embodiment, focusing on asubject may be adjusted by supplying a voltage to the coil of the firstdrive part 220.

Auto-focusing feedback may be applied in order to more precisely realizethe auto-focusing function of the camera module according to the presentembodiment. The first sensor 711, which is mounted on the bobbin 210 andis provided as a hall sensor, senses the magnetic field of the magnet ofthe second drive part 320 fixed to the housing 310. When the bobbin 210is moved relative to the housing 310, the magnitude of the magneticfield sensed by the first sensor 711 varies. As such, the first sensor711 may sense the moved distance or position of the bobbin 210 in thez-axis direction and may transmit the sensed value to the controller.The controller determines whether or not to additionally move the bobbin210 based on the received sensed value. Because this process isperformed in real time, the camera module according to the presentembodiment may more precisely perform the auto-focusing function viaauto-focusing feedback.

The hand tremor compensation function of the camera module according tothe present embodiment will be described. When a voltage is supplied tothe pattern coil 410 of the pattern coil part 400, the second drive part320 begins to move relative to the pattern coil part 400 via theelectromagnetic interaction between the pattern coil 410 and the magnetof the second drive part 320. At this time, the housing 310 coupled tothe second drive part 320 is integrally moved along with the seconddrive part 320. That is, the housing 310 is horizontally moved relativeto the base 500. At this time, the housing 310 may be tilted relative tothe base 500. This movement of the housing 310 causes the lens module tobe moved relative to the image sensor in a direction parallel to thedirection in which the image sensor is placed. Thereby, in the presentembodiment, the hand tremor compensation function may be performed bysupplying a voltage to the pattern coil 410.

Hand tremor compensation feedback may be applied in order to moreprecisely realize the hand tremor compensation function of the cameramodule according to the present embodiment. The pair of second sensorparts 720, which are mounted on the pattern coil part 400 and areconfigured as hall sensors, senses the magnetic field of the magnet ofthe second drive part 320 fixed to the housing 310. When the housing 310is moved relative to the base 500, the magnitude of the magnetic fieldsensed by the second sensor parts 720 varies. The second sensor parts720 may sense the moved distance or position of the housing 310 in thehorizontal direction (i.e. the x-axis direction and the y-axisdirection) and may transmit the sensed value to the controller. Thecontroller determines whether or not to additionally move the housing310 based on the received sensed value. Because this process isperformed in real time, the camera module according to the presentembodiment may more precisely perform the hand tremor compensationfunction via hand tremor compensation feedback.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a base 2100, a printed circuitboard 2500, and a second coil 2300 according to an embodiment. The lensdriving unit may further include a position sensor 2400.

The position sensor 2400 may be placed on the center of the second coil2300 and may sense the movement of a housing 1400. At this time, theposition sensor 2400 may basically sense the movement of the housing1400 in a first direction, and in some cases, may sense the movement ofthe housing 1400 in the second and third directions.

The position sensor 2400 may be, for example, a hall sensor, or may beany of various other sensors so long as it can sense variation inmagnetic force. As illustrated in FIG. 7, two position sensors 2400 maybe installed on corner portions of the base 2100, which is located belowthe printed circuit board 2500, and more specifically, may be insertedinto position sensor seating recesses 2150 formed in the base 2100. Theprinted circuit board 2500 may include an upper surface, on which thesecond coil 2300 is placed, and a lower surface opposite to the uppersurface.

Each position sensor 2400 may be downwardly spaced apart from the secondcoil 2300 by a predetermined distance with the printed circuit board2500 interposed therebetween. That is, the position sensor 2400 may notbe directly connected to the second coil 2300, and the second coil 2300may be installed on the upper surface of the printed circuit board 2500and the position sensor 2400 may be installed on the lower surface ofthe printed circuit board 2500.

The lens driving apparatus according to the above-described embodimentmay be used in various fields, such as, for example, in a camera module.The camera module may be applied to, for example, a mobile appliance,such as a cellular phone.

The camera module according to an embodiment may include a lens barrelcoupled to a bobbin, and an image sensor (not illustrated). At thistime, the lens barrel may include at least one lens sheet fortransferring an image to the image sensor.

In addition, the camera module may further include an infrared-rayblocking filter (not illustrated). The infrared-ray blocking filterserves to inhibit infrared-rays from being introduced into the imagesensor.

In this case, the infrared-ray blocking filter may be installed on thebase 2100 illustrated in FIG. 9 at a position corresponding to the imagesensor, and may be coupled to a holder member (not illustrated). Inaddition, the holder member may support the bottom of the base 2100.

A separate terminal member may be installed on the base 2100 for theelectrical conduction with the printed circuit board 2500.Alternatively, a terminal may be integrally formed with the base 2100using, for example, a surface electrode.

The base 2100 may further include an adhesive member 2110 for attachingthe printed circuit board 2500 to the base 2100.

The adhesive member 2110 may be provided on one side surface of the base2100, and as illustrated, may be provided at the position at which oneside surface of the base 2100 comes into surface contact with one sidesurface of the printed circuit board 2500.

Although the adhesive member 2110 is illustrated as being provided onone side surface of the base 2100 in the present embodiment, theadhesive member 2110 may be additionally provided on each of twoopposite side surfaces of the base 2100.

The adhesive members 2110 illustrated in the present embodiment aremerely given by way of example, and the scope of the embodiments is notlimited by the position and number of adhesive members 2110 so long asthe adhesive members 2110 can attach the printed circuit board 2500 tothe base 2100.

The base 2100 may further include a seating recess 2140 for a springunit (not illustrated), and the seating recess 2140 may be provided witha stepped portion.

In order to attach the base 2100 and the printed circuit board 2500 toeach other, the adhesive member 2110 may be provided on one surface ofthe base 2100. When the amount of the adhesive member 2110 isexcessively small, the adhesive force between the base 2100 and theprinted circuit board 2500 may be insufficient, causing the printedcircuit board 2500 to be separated from the base 2100. When the amountof the adhesive member 2110 is excessively large, the adhesive member2110 may be introduced into the seating recess 2140, thus making itdifficult for the spring unit (not illustrated) to be accurately coupledto the seating recess 2140.

Therefore, the seating recess 2140 of the base 2100 may be provided withthe stepped portion in order to inhibit the adhesive member 2110 frombeing introduced into the seating recess 2140.

The stepped portion may include at least one side surface portion 2143forming the side surface of the stepped portion, a lower surface portion2142 forming the lower surface of the stepped portion, and a steppedspace 2141 defined by the side surface portion 2143 and the lowersurface portion 2142 for accommodating therein the adhesive member 2110.

The lower surface portion 2142 of the stepped space 2141 may have aplanar cross-sectional shape.

In addition, the cross section of the lower surface portion 2142 of thestepped space 2141 may be convex in the first direction, which isorthogonal to the lower surface portion 2142.

When the cross section of the lower surface portion 2142 of the steppedspace 2141 is convex in the first direction, which is orthogonal to thelower surface portion 2142, the adhesive member 2110 is guided so as tobe gathered to opposite sides of the lower surface portion 2142, whichmay effectively inhibit the adhesive member 2110 from being introducedinto the seating recess 2140.

In addition, the cross section of the lower surface portion 2142 of thestepped space 2141 may be concave in the first direction, which isorthogonal to the lower surface portion 2142.

When the cross section of the lower surface portion 2142 of the steppedspace 2141 is concave in the first direction, which is orthogonal to thelower surface portion 2142, the adhesive member 2110 is guided so as tobe gathered to the center of the lower surface portion 2142, which mayeffectively inhibit the adhesive member 2110 from being introduced intothe seating recess 2140.

In addition, the cross section of the lower surface portion 2142 of thestepped space 2141 may have a sinusoidal shape.

When the cross section of the lower surface portion 2142 of the steppedspace 2141 has a sinusoidal shape, the adhesive member 2110 is guided soas to be gathered to a plurality of recesses formed in the lower surfaceportion 2142, which may effectively inhibit the adhesive member 2110from being introduced into the seating recess 2140.

Although only one single stepped portion is illustrated in the presentembodiment, a plurality of stepped portions may be provided.

Because the provision of the plurality of stepped portions ensures theprovision of a plurality of spaces in which the adhesive member 2110 maybe accommodated, the introduction of the adhesive member 2110 into theseating recess 2140 may be more effectively inhibited.

A plurality of protruding members may protrude upward from the lowersurface portion 2142 by a predetermined height.

Because the protruding members, provided on the lower surface portion2142, increase resistance in the flow of the adhesive member 2110introduced into the stepped space 2141, the introduction of the adhesivemember 2110 from the stepped space 2141 into the seating recess 2140 maybe more effectively inhibited.

Although the protruding members may have a semi-spherical shape, this ismerely given by way of example, and the protruding members 2144 may havea conical shape or a polygonal shape.

The base 2100 may function as a sensor holder for protecting the imagesensor. In this case, a downwardly protruding portion may be formedalong the side surface of the base 2100. However, this may be notnecessary, and although not illustrated, a separate sensor holder may belocated below the base 2100.

FIG. 8 illustrates the upper surface of the printed circuit boardaccording to the embodiment, and FIG. 9 illustrates the lower surface ofthe printed circuit board according to the embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the printed circuit board 2500 of theembodiment includes a first printed-circuit-board portion 2500 a, whichhas a hollow shape in order to accommodate the bobbin, a secondprinted-circuit-board portion 2500 b, which extends from at least oneside of the first printed-circuit-board portion 2500 a and is bendable,and a third printed-circuit-board portion 2500 c, which extends from atleast one side of the second printed-circuit-board portion 2500 b andincludes a terminal 2510 for electrical communication between theprinted circuit board 2500 and a controller (not illustrated).

The first printed-circuit-board portion 2500 a may have a hollow shapesuch that the center thereof defines the circumference C.

In addition, the first printed-circuit-board portion 2500 a having ahollow shape may include one or more protruding hollowed portions 2530,which are formed in the inner circumferential surface of the firstprinted-circuit-board portion 2500 a so as to protrude radially outward.

The protruding hollowed portions 2530 may form recesses in the innercircumferential surface of the first printed-circuit-board portion 2500a.

In the lens driving apparatus of the embodiment, the printed circuitboard 2500 may be provided on the upper surface of the base 2100, and acircuit member 2310 may be provided on the upper surface of the printedcircuit board 2500.

In other words, in the lens driving apparatus of the embodiment, thebase 2100, the printed circuit board 2500, and the circuit member 2310may be stacked one above another in sequence from the bottom side. Whenthe first printed-circuit-board portion 2500 a is not provided with theprotruding hollowed portions 2530, the circuit member 2310 may come intosurface contact with the printed circuit board 2500.

When the circuit member 2310 comes into surface contact with the printedcircuit board 2500, and in turn the printed circuit board 2500 comesinto surface contact with the base 2100, a protruding member (notillustrated) provided on the upper surface of the base 2100 may comeinto surface contact with the printed circuit board 2500, rather thancoming into contact with the circuit member 2310.

With this structure, the height from the lower surface of the base 2100to one surface of the circuit member 2310 may vary depending on thethickness of the printed circuit board 2500, which may make it difficultto maintain the consistent quality of the lens driving unit.

However, when the first printed-circuit-board portion 2500 a is providedwith the protruding hollowed portions 2530, the aforementionedprotruding member (not illustrated) provided on the upper surface of thebase 2100 may penetrate the protruding hollowed portions 2530 to therebycome into contact with the circuit member 2310.

Thereby, the height from the lower surface of the base 2100 to onesurface of the circuit member 2310 may be consistently maintained.

As illustrated in the drawings, in a coordinate system, the origin ofwhich is the center of the first printed-circuit-board portion 2500 a, atotal of eight protruding hollow portions 2530 may be provided in such amanner that two are provided in the first quadrant, two are provided inthe second quadrant, two are provided in the third quadrant, and two areprovided in the fourth quadrant.

This is merely given by way of example, and the shape, position, andnumber of protruding hollow portions 2530 may be altered in various waysby the user depending on the shape of the base 2100, and the scope ofthe embodiment is not limited thereby.

The first printed-circuit-board portion 2500 a may have a first diagonallength X1 based on the center thereof.

In addition, the first printed-circuit-board portion 2500 a may have asecond diagonal length X2 based on the center thereof, which crosses thefirst diagonal length X1.

The first diagonal length X1 and the second diagonal length X2 may bethe same as each other.

On the other hand, the first diagonal length X1 and the second diagonallength X2 may differ from each other.

In addition, the first diagonal length X1 and the second diagonal lengthX2 may be orthogonal to each other, or may not be orthogonal to eachother.

The circuit member 2310 may be stacked on one surface of the printedcircuit board 2500, and the first diagonal length X1 of the printedcircuit board 2500 may be the same as the first diagonal length X1 ofthe circuit member 2310.

In addition, the second diagonal length X2 of the printed circuit board2500 may be the same as the second diagonal length X2 of the circuitmember 2310.

In addition, both the first diagonal length X1 and the second diagonallength X2 of the printed circuit board 2500 may be the same as the firstdiagonal length X1 and the second diagonal length X2 of the circuitmember 2310.

When the first diagonal length X1 and/or the second diagonal length X2of the printed circuit board 2500 is the same as the first diagonallength X1 and/or the second diagonal length X2 of the circuit member2310, the distortion of the circuit member 2310 or the printed circuitboard 2500 may be inhibited in the state where the circuit member 2310is stacked on one surface of the printed circuit board 2500, which mayimprove the quality of the camera module.

The second printed-circuit-board portion 2500 b may extend from onesurface of the first printed-circuit-board portion 2500 a. Morespecifically, the second printed-circuit-board portion 2500 b may extendfrom opposite surfaces of the first printed-circuit-board portion 2500 ain opposite directions.

The second printed-circuit-board portion 2500 b may bend in order toenable the electrical-communication between the firstprinted-circuit-board portion 2500 a and the third printed-circuit-boardportion 2500 c, which extends from the second printed-circuit-boardportion 2500 b as will be described below, and the controller (notillustrated).

Accordingly, the second printed-circuit-board portion 2500 b may beformed of a Flexible Printed Circuit Board (FPCB).

The first printed-circuit-board portion 2500 a, the secondprinted-circuit-board portion 2500 b, and the thirdprinted-circuit-board portion 2500 c may be integrally formed with oneanother.

Accordingly, in addition to the second printed-circuit-board portion2500 b, the first printed-circuit-board portion 2500 a and the thirdprinted-circuit-board portion 2500 c may also be formed of a flexibleprinted circuit board.

Each of the second printed-circuit-board portion 2500 b and the thirdprinted-circuit-board portion 2500 c may include at least one elasticmember opening 2540, which provides an accommodation space for thearrangement of a hand-tremor-prevention elastic member (notillustrated). The hand-tremor-prevention elastic member provides elasticforce to an optical module, which moves in the second and thirddirections, which are orthogonal to the first direction, which isparallel to the optical axis, in order to inhibit the user's handtremor.

Four elastic member openings 2540 may be provided. This is merely givenby way of example, and the number of elastic member openings 2540 may bechanged depending on the number of hand-tremor-prevention elasticmembers (not illustrated) required in the lens driving unit. The shapeand size of the elastic member openings 2540 may also be altereddepending on the user's requirements, and the scope of the embodimentsis not limited thereby.

The third printed-circuit-board portion 2500 c may include at least oneterminal 2510 provided so as to be electrically connected to thecontroller (not illustrated), and a coating member 2520 provided tocover the third printed-circuit-board portion 2500 c and a portion ofthe terminal 2510.

The terminal 2510 and the coating member 2520 will be described below indetail with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11.

FIG. 10 is a detailed view illustrating the third printed-circuit-boardportion 2500 c according to the embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 10, the third printed-circuit-board portion 2500 c mayinclude a plurality of terminals 2510 on one surface thereof. Theterminals 2510 may protrude from the third printed-circuit-board portion2500 c by a first length.

More specifically, the first length may be 400 μm or more.

When a portion of the printed circuit board 2500 and the controller (notillustrated) come into contact with each other to establish electricalconnection therebetween, cracks may be generated in the terminals 2510.When the length that the terminals 2510 protrude from the thirdprinted-circuit-board portion 2500 c is 400 μm or more, the generationof cracks in the terminals 2510 may be inhibited, which results inimproved reliability and quality of the camera module.

Each of the terminals 2510 may have a horizontal length W and a heightH. In some embodiments, the terminals 2510 may have the same horizontallength and the same height, or may have different horizontal lengths anddifferent heights.

The terminals 2510 may include first terminals A located on oppositeends of the third printed-circuit-board portion 2500 c, and secondterminals B located between the two first terminals A.

The terminals 2510 may be spaced apart from one another on the thirdprinted-circuit-board portion 2500 c by a second length d.

The coating member 2520 may be located on a portion of each terminal2510 and over the gap corresponding to the second length d between theterminals 2510.

When the coating member 2520 is located on a portion of each terminal2510 and over the gap between the terminals 2510, the thickness of thethird printed-circuit-board portion 2500 c from the lower surface may beincreased by a predetermined height.

Therefore, when the printed circuit board 2500 is assembled, assemblytolerance may be minimized, and consequently, deterioration in qualitydue to contact failure may be inhibited.

In addition, the second length d may be 0.01 μm.

With the distance of 0.01 μm between the terminals 2510, when theprinted circuit board 2500 is assembled in the state where the coatingmember 2520 is applied on at least two terminals 2510, it is possible toinhibit a portion of each terminal 2510 from being separated from theprinted circuit board 2500.

The coating member 2520 may be formed of a Photo Solder Resist (PSR) orcover layer material.

The PSR material is generally applied in order to inhibit the bridgingof solder upon soldering after elements are mounted on a circuit boardand to inhibit oxidation of an exposed circuit.

FIG. 11 illustrates the first terminal A and the second terminal Bplaced on the third printed-circuit-board portion 2500 c according tothe embodiment.

Hereinafter, the coating member 2520 disposed on the first terminal Aand the second terminal B will be described with reference to FIG. 11.

As described above, the first terminals A may be located on oppositeends of the third printed-circuit-board portion 2500 c, and the secondterminals B may be located between the two first terminals A so as to bespaced apart from one another.

The coating member 2520 disposed on each first terminal A may be appliedto only one end of the first terminal A.

More specifically, the first terminal A may have a horizontal length W,and the coating member 2520 may introduce the first terminal A from oneend thereof by a third length O₁.

That is, when the overall area of the first terminal A is H₁×W, the areaof the first terminal A over which the coating member 2520 is locatedmay be O₁×H₁, and the area of the first terminal A over which no coatingmember 2520 is located may be (W−O₁)×H₁.

The coating member 2520 disposed on the second terminal B may be appliedto opposite ends of the second terminal B.

More specifically, the second terminal B may have a horizontal length W,and the coating member 2520 may intrude the second terminal B fromopposite ends thereof by the length of 2×O₁.

That is, when the overall area of the second terminal B is H₁×W, thearea of the second terminal B over which the coating member 2520 islocated may be 2×(O₁×H₁), and the area of the second terminal B overwhich no coating member 2520 is located may be (W−2×O₁)×H₁.

In addition, the coating member 2520 may be disposed on a portion of theupper surface of each terminal 2510.

In addition, the coating member 2520 may be disposed on a portion ofopposite side surfaces of the terminal 2510 and a portion of the uppersurface of the terminal 2510.

This is merely given by way of example, and it is sufficient for thecoating member 2520 to be applied to two neighboring terminals 2510 soas to inhibit a portion of each terminal 2510 from being separated fromthe third printed-circuit-board portion 2500 c. The position and area ofthe coating member 2520 and the like may be altered depending on theuser's requirements, and the scope of the embodiment is not limitedthereby.

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the printed circuit board 2500 and thecircuit member 2310 according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 12, the circuit member 2310 and the printed circuitboard 2500 of the embodiment may be integrally formed with each other.

More specifically, the circuit member 2310 may include an uppermostfirst circuit member 2311, a second circuit member 2312 located belowthe first circuit member 2311, a third circuit member 2313 located belowthe second circuit member 2312, and a fourth circuit member 2314 locatedbelow the third circuit member 2313.

The printed circuit board 2500 may include a first circuit board 2511located below the second circuit member 2312 and a second circuit board2513 located below the first circuit board 2511.

The first to fourth circuit members 2311, 2312, 2313 and 2314 mayrespectively include second circuit member coils 2301, 2302, 2303 and2304, which perform hand tremor compensation by moving a housing in thesecond and/or third directions via the electromagnetic interaction witha first magnet.

The first circuit board 2511 and the second circuit board 2513 mayrespectively include second circuit board coils 2501 and 2504, whichperform hand tremor compensation by moving the housing in the secondand/or third directions via the electromagnetic interaction with thefirst magnet.

Each of the second circuit member coils 2301, 2302, 2303 and 2304 woundon the first to fourth circuit members 2311, 2312, 2313 and 2314 mayhave five turns or more.

Although FIG. 12 illustrates that the second circuit member coil 2304 iswound on the fourth circuit member 2314, the second circuit member coil2304 may not be wound on the fourth circuit member 2314 and a positionsensor (not illustrated) may be mounted on a portion of the fourthcircuit member 2314 at a position corresponding to the second circuitmember coil 2304.

The position of the position sensor is not limited to the fourth circuitmember 2314, at least one of the circuit member 2310 and the printedcircuit board 2500 may not be provided with the second circuit membercoils 2301, 2302, 2303, and 2304 and/or the second circuit board coils2501 and 2504, and a position sensor (not illustrated) may be mounted ona position corresponding to any one of the second circuit member coils2301, 2302, 2303, and 2304 and/or the second circuit board coils 2501and 2504.

Each of the second circuit board coils 2501 and 2504, wound on the firstcircuit board 2511 and the second circuit board 2513, may have fiveturns or more.

Expressing the configuration of the lens driving apparatus in adifferent way, in an embodiment, the circuit members 2310 and theprinted circuit board 2500 may include a first circuit board unit 2511and 2513, which includes at least one pattern unit for electricalconnection with the controller (not illustrated), a second circuit boardunit 2311 and 2312, which is disposed above the first circuit board unit2511 and 2513, and a third circuit board unit 2313 and 2314, which isdisposed below the first circuit board unit 2511 and 2513.

The first circuit board unit 2511 and 2513, the second circuit boardunit 2311 and 2312, and the third circuit board unit 2313 and 2314 mayinclude second coils 2301, 2302, 2501, 2504, 2303 and 2304.

In addition, the circuit member 2310, the printed circuit board 250 andthe second coils 2301, 2302, 2501, 2504, 2303 and 2304 may be integrallyformed with each other. The number of turns of the second circuit membercoils 2301, 2302, 2303 and 2304 and the second circuit board coils 2501and 2504, wound on the first to fourth circuit members 2311, 2312, 2313and 2314, the first circuit board 2511 and the second circuit board2513, is merely given by way of example, and the number of turns of thesecond circuit member coils 2301, 2302, 2303 and 2304 and the secondcircuit board coils 2501 and 2504 may be altered depending on the user'srequirements, and the scope of the embodiment is not limited thereby.

In summary, the lens driving apparatus of the embodiment may include thecircuit member 2310 and the printed circuit board 2500, and the circuitmember 2310 and the printed circuit board 2500 may include the firstcircuit board unit 2511 and 2513, which includes at least one patternunit for the electrical connection with the controller, the secondcircuit board unit 2311 and 2312 disposed above the first circuit boardunit 2511 and 2513, and the third circuit board unit 2313 and 2314disposed below the first circuit board unit 2511 and 2513.

The first circuit board unit 2511 and 2513, the second circuit boardunit 2311 and 2312, and the third circuit board unit 2313 and 2314 mayinclude the second coils 2301, 2302, 2303, 2304, 2501 and 2504, whichperform hand tremor compensation by moving the housing in the secondand/or third directions via the electromagnetic interaction with thefirst magnet.

Each of the second coils 2301, 2302, 2303, 2304, 2501 and 2504, wound onthe first circuit board unit 2511 and 2513, the second circuit boardunit 2311 and 2312, and the third circuit board unit 2313 and 2314, mayhave five turns or more.

Each of the first circuit board unit 2511 and 2513, the second circuitboard unit 2311 and 2312, and the third circuit board unit 2313 and 2314may include a plurality of circuit boards.

More specifically, the second circuit board unit 2311 and 2312 mayinclude a first circuit board 2311 and a second circuit board 2312.

The first circuit board unit 2511 and 2513 may include a third circuitboard 2511 and a fourth circuit board 2513.

The third circuit board unit 2313 and 2314 may include a fifth circuitboard 2313 and a sixth circuit board 2314.

Although FIG. 12 illustrates that the second coil 2304 is wound on thesixth circuit board 2314, the second coil 2304 may not be wound on thesixth circuit board 2314, and a position sensor (not illustrated) may bemounted on a portion corresponding to the position of the second coil2304.

The position of the position sensor is not limited to the sixth circuitboard 2314, at least one of the first to sixth circuit boards 2311,2312, 2511, 2513, 2313 and 2314 may not be provided with the secondcoils 2301, 2302, 2303, 2304, 2501 and 2504, and a position sensor (notillustrated) may be mounted on a portion corresponding to the positionof each of the second coils 2301, 2302, 2303, 2304, 2501 and 2504. Asdescribed above, the number of turns of each of the second coils 2301,2302, 2303, 2304, 2501 and 2504 wound on the first to sixth circuitboards 2311, 2312, 2511, 2513, 2313 and 2314 is given by way of example,and may be altered in various ways depending on the user's requirements,and the scope of the embodiment is not limited thereby.

The lens driving apparatuses illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 13 illustratesthe embodiments in which the printed circuit board 2500 and the circuitmember 2310 are not integrally formed with each other and the circuitmember 2310 is assembled to the upper surface of the printed circuitboard 2500.

When the printed circuit board 2500 and the circuit member 2310 are notintegrally formed with each other and the circuit member 2310 isassembled to the upper surface of the printed circuit board 2500, asdescribed above, the circuit member 2310 may be tilted in the process ofbeing assembled on the printed circuit board 2500, which may causedeterioration in the quality of the camera module.

In addition, a foreign substance may be introduced in the process ofassembling the circuit member 2310 on the printed circuit board 2500,which may cause deterioration in the quality of the camera module.

Therefore, the lens driving apparatus of the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 12 to 14 has the feature by which the printed circuit board 2500and the circuit member 2310 are integrally formed with each other inorder to solve the problems described above.

When the circuit member 2310 and the printed circuit board 2500 areintegrally formed with each other according to the embodiment, asdescribed above, the process of assembling the circuit member 2310 onthe printed circuit board 2500 may be omitted, which may increaseproductivity.

In addition, when the circuit member 2310 and the printed circuit board2500 are integrally formed with each other according to the embodiment,as described above, there is no process of assembling the circuit member2310 on the printed circuit board 2500, which may inhibit deteriorationin the quality of the camera module due to the tilting of the circuitmember 2310.

In addition, the circuit member 2310 and the printed circuit board 2500,which are integrally formed with each other, according to the embodimentmay inhibit a foreign substance from being introduced therebetween,which may improve the quality of the camera module.

FIG. 13 illustrates the first circuit board according to the embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 13, the first circuit board 2511 of the embodiment mayinclude a first-first printed-circuit-board portion 2511 a, which has ahollow shape in order to accommodate the bobbin, a first-secondprinted-circuit-board portion 2511 b, which extends from at least oneside of the first-first printed-circuit-board portion 2511 a and isbendable, and a first-third printed-circuit-board portion 2511 c, whichextends from at least one side of the first-second printed-circuit-boardportion 2511 b and includes a pattern 2502 for theelectrical-communication between the printed circuit board 2500 and thebase 2100.

The first-first printed-circuit-board portion 2511 a may have a hollowshape such that the center thereof is the circumference C.

The first-second printed-circuit-board portion 2511 b may extend fromone surface of the first-first printed-circuit-board portion 2511 a, andmore specifically, may extend from opposite surfaces of the first-firstprinted-circuit-board portion 2511 a in opposite directions.

The first-second printed-circuit-board portion 2511 b may be provided soas to bend, in order to ensure the electrical-communication between thefirst-first printed-circuit-board portion 2511 a and the first-thirdprinted-circuit-board portion 2511 c, which extends from thefirst-second printed-circuit-board portion 2511 b as described below,and the base 2100.

Accordingly, the first-second printed-circuit-board portion 2511 b maybe formed of a Flexible Printed Circuit Board (FPCB).

The first-first printed-circuit-board portion 2511 a, the first-secondprinted-circuit-board portion 2511 b, and the first-thirdprinted-circuit-board portion 2511 c may be integrally formed with oneanother.

Accordingly, in addition to the first-second printed-circuit-boardportion 2511 b, the first-first printed-circuit-board portion 2511 a andthe first-third printed-circuit-board portion 2511 c may be formed of aflexible printed circuit board.

Each of the first-second printed-circuit-board portion 2511 b and thefirst-third printed-circuit-board portion 2511 c may include at leastone first elastic member opening 2504, which provides an accommodationspace for the arrangement of a hand-tremor-prevention elastic member(not illustrated). The hand-tremor-prevention elastic member provideselastic force to an optical module, which moves in the second and thirddirections, which are orthogonal to the first direction, which isparallel to the optical axis, in order to inhibit the user's handtremor.

Four first elastic member openings 2504 may be provided. This is merelygiven by way of example, and the number of first elastic member openings2504 may be changed depending on the number of hand-tremor-preventionelastic members (not illustrated) required in the lens driving unit. Theshape and size of the first elastic member openings 2504 may also bealtered depending on the user's requirements, and the scope of theembodiments is not limited thereby.

The first-third printed-circuit-board portion 2511 c may include atleast one pattern 2502 provided so as to be electrically connected tothe base 2100, and a coating member 2503 provided to cover thefirst-third printed-circuit-board portion 2511 c and a portion of thepattern 2502.

FIG. 14 illustrates the second circuit board according to theembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 14, the second circuit board 2513 of the embodimentmay include a second-first printed-circuit-board portion 2513 a, whichhas a hollow shape in order to accommodate the bobbin, a second-secondprinted-circuit-board portion 2513 b, which extends from at least oneside of the second-first printed-circuit-board portion 2513 a and isbendable, and a second-third printed-circuit-board portion 2513 c, whichextends from at least one side of the first-second printed-circuit-boardportion 2511 b.

The second-first printed-circuit-board portion 2513 a may have a hollowshape such that the center thereof is the circumference C.

The second-second printed-circuit-board portion 2513 b may extend fromone surface of the second-first printed-circuit-board portion 2513 a,and more specifically, may extend from opposite surfaces of thesecond-first printed-circuit-board portion 2513 a in oppositedirections.

The second-second printed-circuit-board portion 2513 b may be providedso as to bend, in order to ensure the electrical-communication betweenthe second-first printed-circuit-board portion 2513 a and thesecond-third printed-circuit-board portion 2513 c, which extends fromthe second-second printed-circuit-board portion 2513 b as describedbelow, and the base 2100.

Accordingly, the second-second printed-circuit-board portion 2513 b maybe formed of a Flexible Printed Circuit Board (FPCB).

The second-first printed-circuit-board portion 2513 a, the second-secondprinted-circuit-board portion 2513 b, and the second-thirdprinted-circuit-board portion 2513 c may be integrally formed with oneanother.

Accordingly, in addition to the second-second printed-circuit-boardportion 2513 b, the second-first printed-circuit-board portion 2513 aand the second-third printed-circuit-board portion 2513 c may be formedof a flexible printed circuit board.

Each of the second-second printed-circuit-board portion 2513 b and thesecond-third printed-circuit-board portion 2513 c may include at leastone second elastic member opening 2505, which provides an accommodationspace for the arrangement of a hand-tremor-prevention elastic member(not illustrated). The hand-tremor-prevention elastic member provideselastic force to an optical module, which moves in the second and thirddirections, which are orthogonal to the first direction, which isparallel to the optical axis, in order to inhibit the user's handtremor.

Four second elastic member openings 2505 may be provided. This is merelygiven by way of example, and the number of second elastic memberopenings 2505 may be changed depending on the number ofhand-tremor-prevention elastic members (not illustrated) required in thelens driving unit. The shape and size of the second elastic memberopenings 2505 may also be altered depending on the user's requirements,and the scope of the embodiments is not limited thereby.

As is apparent from the above description, reduced manufacturing costsmay be accomplished owing to a reduction in the number of elements,processes, and process management points.

In addition, the height of an entire product may be reduced, resultingin a reduced product size.

In addition, a lens driving apparatus and a camera module including thesame according to an embodiment may inhibit deterioration in the qualityof the camera module due to warping of a printed circuit board, which iscaused when a circuit member is assembled to one surface of the printedcircuit board because the printed circuit board and the circuit memberhave different sizes.

In addition, a lens driving apparatus and a camera module including thesame according to an embodiment may inhibit contact failure due to a gapbetween a pad unit provided on one surface of a printed circuit boardand a base to which the printed circuit board is assembled.

In addition, a lens driving apparatus and a camera module including thesame according to an embodiment may inhibit deterioration in the qualityof the camera module due to the separation of a portion of a pad from aprinted circuit board during soldering in the case where only a pad unitis provided on one surface of the printed circuit board.

In addition, a lens driving apparatus and a camera module including thesame according to an embodiment may inhibit a circuit member from havingan irregular height because it does not come into contact with a basewhen the circuit member, the base, and a printed circuit board aresequentially assembled with one another so that the printed circuitboard is provided on one surface of the base and the circuit member isprovided on one surface of the printed circuit board.

In addition, a lens driving apparatus and a camera module including thesame according to an embodiment may inhibit a pattern, which protrudesfrom a pad provided on one surface of a printed circuit board, frombeing cracked by an external shock when the pattern is thin.

In addition, a lens driving apparatus and a camera module including thesame according to an embodiment may inhibit a circuit member from beingslightly tilted in the process of assembling the circuit member so as tobe disposed on the top of a printed circuit board.

In addition, a lens driving apparatus and a camera module including thesame according to an embodiment may inhibit deterioration in theresolution of the camera module when a circuit member is tilted, ratherthan being evenly disposed on the upper surface of a printed circuitboard.

In addition, a lens driving apparatus and a camera module including thesame according to an embodiment may inhibit deterioration in theresolution of the camera module due to the introduction of a foreignsubstance between a circuit member and a printed circuit board becausethe circuit member and the printed circuit board are assembled with eachother, rather than being integrally formed with each other.

In the above description, although all elements of the embodiments havebeen described as being coupled or operated in the coupled statethereof, the disclosure is not limited to these embodiments. That is,one or more elements among all of the embodiments may be selectivelycoupled and operated so long as this configuration falls within theobjective range of the embodiments. In addition, the terms “comprises,”“includes,” and/or “has”, when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated elements, but do not preclude the presence oraddition of other elements. Unless otherwise defined, all terms(including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the samemeaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art towhich the embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms,such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should beinterpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning inthe context of the relevant art and should not be interpreted in anidealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

The above description merely describes the technical spirit of theembodiments by way of example, and various modifications andsubstitutions related to the above description are possible by thoseskilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of thedisclosure. Accordingly, the disclosed embodiments are provided for thepurpose of description and are not intended to limit the technical scopeof the disclosure, and the technical scope of the disclosure is notlimited by the embodiments. The range of the disclosure should beinterpreted based on the following claims, and all technical ideas thatfall within the range equivalent to the claims should be understood asbelonging to the scope of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A lens driving unit comprising: a housing; a bobbin disposed in the housing; a first coil disposed on the bobbin; a magnet disposed on the housing; a support member coupled to the bobbin and the housing; a circuit member comprising a second coil facing the magnet; and a base disposed below the circuit member, wherein the circuit member comprises: a first portion comprising a first through hole and the second coil; a second portion bent from one side of the first portion and comprising a plurality of first terminals; and a third portion bent from another side of the first portion and comprising a plurality of second terminals.
 2. The lens driving unit according to claim 1, wherein the second coil comprises coil patterns formed in the first portion, and the coil patterns are disposed around the first through hole.
 3. The lens driving unit according to claim 1, wherein the second coil comprises four coil patterns formed in the first portion, and the four coil patterns are disposed around the first through hole.
 4. The lens driving unit according to claim 1, wherein the second coil comprises four coil patterns corresponding to four corners of the first portion of the first circuit board.
 5. The lens driving unit according to claim 1, wherein the second portion comprises at least one first opening.
 6. The lens driving unit according to claim 1, wherein the third portion comprises at least one second opening.
 7. The lens driving unit according to claim 1, comprising a position sensor disposed on the first portion.
 8. The lens driving unit according to claim 7, wherein the position sensor is disposed on a lower side of the first portion.
 9. The lens driving unit according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of first terminals are disposed under the at least one first opening.
 10. The lens driving unit according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of second terminals are disposed under the at least one second opening.
 11. The lens driving unit according to claim 1, wherein the one side of the first portion is opposite to the another side of the first portion.
 12. A lens driving unit comprising: a housing; a bobbin disposed in the housing; a first coil disposed on the bobbin; a magnet disposed on the housing; a support member coupled to the bobbin and the housing; a circuit member disposed below the housing and comprising a second coil; and a base disposed below the circuit member, wherein the circuit member comprises: a first portion comprising a first through hole and the second coil; a second portion bent from one side of the first portion; and a third portion extending from one side of the second portion and comprising a plurality of first terminals; and wherein the circuit member comprises at least one first opening formed at the second portion of the circuit member.
 13. The lens driving unit according to claim 12, comprising a position sensor disposed on the first portion of the circuit member.
 14. The lens driving unit according to claim 12, wherein the circuit member comprises; a fourth portion bent from another side of the first portion; and a fifth portion extending from one side of the fourth portion and comprising a plurality of second terminals.
 15. The lens driving unit according to claim 12, wherein the second coil comprises four coil patterns disposed around the first through hole.
 16. The lens driving unit according to claim 15, wherein the four coil patterns are disposed to be corresponding to four corners of the first portion.
 17. The lens driving unit according to claim 14, wherein the circuit member comprises at least one second opening formed at the fourth portion of the circuit member.
 18. The lens driving unit according to claim 14, wherein the one side of the first portion is opposite to the another side of the first portion.
 19. The lens driving unit according to claim 14, wherein the plurality of first terminals are disposed on an upper side of the third portion, and the plurality of second terminals are disposed on an upper side of the fifth portion, and wherein the position sensor is mounted on a lower side of the first portion.
 20. A camera module comprising: a lens moving apparatus according to claim 1; and a lens barrel coupled to the bobbin; and an image sensor. 